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Influence of Explanatory Images on Risk Perceptions and Treatment Preference
Author(s) -
Cozmuta Raluca,
Wilhelms Evan,
Cornell Diana,
Nolte Julia,
Reyna Valerie,
Fraenkel Liana
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
arthritis care and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.032
H-Index - 163
eISSN - 2151-4658
pISSN - 2151-464X
DOI - 10.1002/acr.23517
Subject(s) - medicine , numeracy , gist , risk perception , preference , randomized controlled trial , perception , psychology , statistics , pedagogy , mathematics , stromal cell , neuroscience , literacy
Objective The aim of this study was to examine whether providing patients with a series of balance scales ( BS ), depicting a reciprocal relationship between achieving disease control and increasing the risk of infection, influences treatment preference. Methods Participants were randomized to receive a description of a medication in which risk of infection was relayed using 1 of 4 formats, including numbers only, numbers + icon array ( IA ), numbers + BS , or numbers + IA + BS (i.e., combination). We compared the likelihood of starting the medication across the 4 formats, and evaluated whether the influence of risk formats varied by numeracy and gist risk appraisals. Results The mean ± SE likelihood of starting the medication was higher among participants randomized to the combination format (3.85 ± 0.09) compared to those who viewed the BS (3.56 ± 0.09; P = 0.0222) or numbers‐only formats (3.51 ± 0.09; P = 0.0069). Viewing an IA alone was associated with a lower likelihood of starting the medication among participants lower in numeracy and endorsing a risk‐avoidant noncompensatory gist risk appraisal. Conversely, viewing an IA (with or without the BS ) was associated with a greater likelihood of starting the medication among patients with higher numeracy and compensatory risk appraisals. Conclusion Adding explanatory images to IA s increases patient likelihood to take a medication in those with low numeracy and a noncompensatory gist risk appraisal. Explanatory images may be a feasible approach to improve willingness to try medication among subjects who are especially risk averse and believe that any risk is unacceptable.